Transportation Secretary Slams Blue Origin Crew as Not Astronauts

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Houston, the Blue Origin space crew has a PR problem.

To put it simply, despite the April 14 space mission being criticized as being out of touch due to its high-profile participants such as Gayle King, Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is raising questions about a different aspect of the mission – whether these six women should be considered astronauts.

In response to a tweet from Blue Origin X that referred to the team as “astronaut crew,” Sean pointed out that, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidelines, they do not currently qualify for that title.

In a post dated April 17th, he expressed admiration for the U.S. commercial space industry, highlighting its representation of American ingenuity and excellence. However, it’s worth noting that the final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines under the Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program were explicit: Crew members traveling into space must have proven their actions during flight to be crucial for public safety or beneficial for the overall safety of human space travel.

He added, “The individuals who embarked on a space journey this week aboard Blue Origin’s autonomous flight exhibited both courage and elegance. However, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they do not qualify as astronauts since they do not meet the criteria set by the FAA.

The FAA included an essential activity requirement in the Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program when it updated its requirements in 2021, which stipulated a flight must be at least 50 miles above the Earth’s surface. However, Blue Origin’s mission exceeded this limit as it reached the Kármán line, which is located approximately 62 miles above our planet.

As an ardent supporter, I can’t help but feel disheartened when I witness the backlash towards the groundbreaking all-female space crew. In a twist of irony, Olivia Munn deemed their journey to space as “extravagant,” while Emily Ratajkowski expressed her disgust. Amy Schumer and Wendy’s joined in, mocking the mission. Yet, amidst this criticism, I stand in awe of their courage and determination.

In a show of solidarity, The View‘s Ana Navarro and Jessica Alba expressed their backing for the women’s cause and urged everyone to channel the same intensity and attention towards President Donald Trump’s policies that they find objectionable.

Ana posted on Instagram, April 16, ‘I’ve witnessed continuous critique of five women engaged in their space work. I don’t understand how it impacts our everyday life.’

As a lifestyle expert, I can confidently say that, much like me, Gayle maintains an unwavering resolve about her path, unfazed by the external clamor. She’s not preoccupied with the naysayers trying to bring her back down to reality post her remarkable experience.

She explained to People after her return on April 14 that anyone voicing criticism likely doesn’t grasp the situation fully. “There’s a lot that people might not be aware of, and it’s evident in the reactions we’re receiving from young women and girls,” she added. This symbolizes what it represents to them.

For more on the Blue Origin mission, keep reading…

Established in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, Blue Origin is a privately owned space exploration firm based in Kent, Washington. As stated on their official site, the mission of this organization revolves around utilizing space resources for Earth’s benefit and expanding human presence in space through improved transportation and the construction of habitable destinations in low Earth orbit.

Blue Origin asserts they are working towards these objectives by developing reusable rockets and engines to lower the expense of space travel, making it more affordable for civilians and promoting sustainability. During a speech at the 2016 Pathfinder Awards, Bezos expressed their vision: “Our goal is to have millions of people living and working in space.” He further added that they aim to significantly decrease the cost of traveling to space by focusing on reusability.

At present, it’s not disclosed how much a ticket for a Blue Origin flight would cost as there are no listed prices on their website; however, a $150,000 deposit is required.

Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, who made history by being the first American to travel to space in 1961, Blue Origin refers to New Shepard as a “completely reusable, suborbital rocket system designed for human space travel.”

Six individuals can occupy the pressurized crew capsule of New Shepard. However, unlike conventional aircraft, there’s no pilot seat because, as Blue Origin’s website states, “The vehicle operates autonomously—it has no pilots.”

New Shepard made its debut in 2015 during a flight test program consisting of 16 successful tests that were completed in 2021.

In July of the same year, founder Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark, along with an auction winner who paid $28 million for their seat, embarked on New Shepard’s inaugural human flight. Later in the year, actors William Shatner and Michael Strahan also joined the ranks of New Shepard travelers, albeit on different missions.

The upcoming mission will be New Shepard’s 31st overall (hence the name NS-31) and its 11th manned flight.

As an overjoyed admirer, I can hardly contain my excitement as New Shepard prepares for takeoff from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One nestled within the majestic Guadalupe Mountain range in the arid West Texas desert! Mark your calendars for April 14, as the launch window opens at a delightful 8:30 a.m. CDT according to their website. Countdown begins now!

According to Blue Origin’s website, their New Shepard astronauts blast off toward space, traveling over three times faster than the speed of sound. They surpass the Kármán line, a globally acknowledged boundary of space located approximately 62 miles (or 100 kilometers) above Earth. Once they’ve crossed this threshold, they can unfasten their seatbelts to experience weightlessness and admire our planet. The voyage concludes with a soft landing back on Earth, assisted by parachutes. The entire journey is estimated to last around 11 minutes.

 

The team for mission NS-31 includes singer Katy Perry, CBS Mornings host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, STEMBoard founder Aisha Bowe (formerly of NASA), bioastronautics research scientist and activist Amanda Nguyen, and former TV anchor Lauren Sánchez. This spaceflight crew is noteworthy as it marks the first all-female team since 1963 when Valentina Tereshkova from the Soviet Union embarked on a solo mission, becoming the first woman in space.

Amanda Nguyen will make history as the first Vietnamese woman to travel in space, while Aisha Bowe will be recorded as the first person of Bahamian heritage to venture where only a select few have gone before.

Each team member has their personal motivations driving them to be part of this mission. For instance, Perry wants to inspire her daughter Daisy, shared with fiancé Orlando Bloom, by demonstrating that anyone can achieve their dreams regardless of background, ethnicity, financial status, or educational level. King, who admitted feeling nervous, hopes to encourage others to venture beyond their comfort zones. She believes that once she takes the leap, it will open doors for many others who might have hesitated but are now eager to participate. Lastly, Nguyen is fulfilling a long-deferred dream. After her career in NASA and studying astrophysics at Harvard and MIT was derailed by gender-based violence, she traded her telescope to fight for her rights as a sexual assault survivor. She drafted the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, which passed both in Congress and at the United Nations. After a decade, she decided it was time to honor the person she was before she was hurt by returning to her dream.

As reported by Good Morning America, every team member is scheduled to travel to the launch site a few days prior to the mission. During this time, they’ll participate in training activities like getting their flight suits tailored, familiarizing themselves with the capsule, learning effective communication methods with ground control, and reviewing safety procedures.

Despite the team’s collective preparations, certain crew members opted to undertake their own readiness procedures prior to the mission. For instance, Bowe intensified his training regimen over the past year, including a NASTAR simulation that offered him a taste of the in-flight conditions. He also scheduled a fighter jet flight, expressing great anticipation for the experience. Similarly, Flynn undertook several zero-gravity simulation flights and described the process as carving out a Boeing 747 to fly in a parabolic pattern, resulting in weightlessness during descent. Additionally, she completed NASTAR training in Philadelphia and experienced up to five Gs of pressure.

Just a few tidbits about their preparation…

King mentioned to ELLE that she’ll be bringing some photos, while Sánchez shared she’ll be carrying a plush toy of Flynn, her character from the book The Fly Who Flew to Space.

As for Bowe, she’s chosen to bring along an historic artifact.

Nancy Conrad, wife of Pete Conrad, the third man to walk on the moon, is a guiding light and role model for me,” she shared with the magazine. “She said, ‘Your journey mirrors Pete’s in many ways, so I want you to carry this flag.’ And thanks to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, I’ll be taking the Apollo 12 flag with me on the voyage.”

Bowe also mentioned she’d be carrying plant samples from Winston-Salem State University’s Astrobotany Lab and dehydrated conch chowder as a tribute to The Bahamas.

Nguyen too, has her own personal items in the mix…

“My mother’s shells from the island she fled,” she told ELLE, “and then there’s a promise I made to myself after my assault. After leaving the hospital, I wrote down, ‘Never ever give up,’ and I stuck it to my laptop. I would gaze at it every day during my graduation and as I fought for my rights—and I’ll be looking at it during the flight.”

According to her Instagram, Nguyen plans on taking with her the pen former president Barack Obama used to sign the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Act, a Nguyen dynasty coin, and Freetown cotton tree seeds.

Some stars have conveyed uplifting messages to the crew, with King receiving a farewell video from CBS Mornings featuring celebrities like Tom Hanks, Megan Rapinoe, Bill Nye, Drew Barrymore, and others. Drew Barrymore wished King luck for her journey, saying she couldn’t wait to pick her brain once she returns home. However, not all stars have been supportive. Olivia Munn, for instance, expressed criticism on Today with Jenna & Friends on April 3, questioning the purpose of the mission and its cost. She argued that it was unnecessary spending when there are more pressing issues in the world, such as affordability of basic necessities like food and shelter. Similarly, she questioned the historical significance of a space ride, considering it excessive. King also acknowledged the concerns about Bezos and the perceived advertising for Blue Origin, but maintained that the mission was much larger than one man and one company, arguing that it’s possible to support both space travel and other causes simultaneously.

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2025-04-18 20:47